Advertisement
Advertisement
recuse
[ ri-kyooz ]
verb (used with object)
- to reject or challenge (a judge, juror, or attorney) as disqualified to act in a particular case, especially because of potential conflict of interest or bias.
- to disqualify or withdraw (oneself or another person) from any position of judging or decision-making so as to avoid the appearance of personal interest or bias:
The senator has recused himself from the vote because of his prior association with the company.
verb (used without object)
- to withdraw from any position of judging or decision-making so as to avoid a semblance of personal interest or bias.
recuse
/ rɪˈkjuːz; rəˈkjuːz /
verb
- tr; reflexive to remove from participation in a court case due to potential prejudice or partiality
Discover More
Other Words From
- re·cu·sal noun
- rec·u·sa·tion [rek-y, oo, -, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of recuse1
Discover More
Example Sentences
Not only has the Miami native green-lit the suppression of roughly 85,000 votes in the Sunshine State, but critics also say she should have recused herself from the case altogether due to her past work as a judge.
According to the Washington Post, last year when Lagoa was confirmed to the federal bench, she promised to recuse herself from any case where her impartiality could be called into question.
Generally, though, she said, Council members and their staffs must recuse themselves from any decision involving a prospective employer, to ensure their motives are genuine and they’re working to advance the city’s interests alone.
The law requires city officials to recuse themselves the moment they connect with an employer about a potential opportunity.
The report observed that a board member could “insist on participating” in a case, even when the ethics officer has determined that the member should be recused.
Doing so makes it unnecessary for judges to decide themselves whether to recuse.
Through letters to the involved parties, she admitted to failing to recuse herself in all five of the cases.
The judge said the royalty payment did not require him to recuse himself, according to 10th Circuit Clerk of Court Betsy Shumaker.
The decision on whether to recuse is ultimately up to the judge.
Cuccinelli has been called on to recuse himself and his office from the case.
Or he may recuse the judge, which should be referred to the Suprema and not to arbiters, who cause much delay.
Boccaccio must have been a clever fellow to write both argument and story; I am not, et je me recuse.
Advertisement
Discover More
More About Recuse
What does recuse mean?
Recuse most commonly means to withdraw from being in the position of judging a case or presiding over an investigation so as to avoid any partiality or bias.
This sense of the word is used reflexively, meaning it’s always followed by a reflexive pronoun, as in recuse yourself, recuse himself, recuse themselves.
Less commonly, recuse can mean to reject or challenge a judge or juror due to the belief that they are biased.
In both senses, recusing is typically done to avoid a conflict of interest—a situation in which the person doing the voting, judging, or investigating has some personal connection to the case that could influence their decision.
People who recuse themselves aren’t resigning—they’re officially excusing themselves from participating.
Example: When I was called for jury duty, I knew the man who was on trial so I had to recuse myself.
Where does recuse come from?
The first records of the word recuse come from around the late 1300s. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb recūsāre, meaning “to object or demur.”
It’s hard to be objective. It’s even harder when you have a personal connection to whatever is being decided. That’s why people are expected to recuse themselves in such cases. It’s possible to recuse yourself in everyday situations, such as refusing to take sides in an argument between two friends. But the term is most commonly used in situations that are formal, official, and serious, such as trials and investigations. The act of recusing is typically done by judges, jurors, and government officials. Most often, it’s because the person has a personal connection to the case or has had some experience that makes them impartial.
Less commonly, the word refers not to the act of recusing oneself but to the act of recusing someone else, such as in the case of a judge who recuses a juror thought to be biased against the defendant.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms of recuse?
- recusal (noun)
- recusation (noun)
What are some synonyms for recuse?
What are some words that share a root or word element with recuse?
What are some words that often get used in discussing recuse?
How is recuse used in real life?
Recuse is most commonly used in a legal context. It’s closely associated with the phrase conflict of interest.
Per transcript, Rick Dearborn backed his ex boss Jeff Sessions' decision to recuse himself. "I think the Attorney General always follows the law," he testified. Dearborn said Sessions "always liked" James Comey, whose firing intensified calls for special counsel to be named.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 8, 2020
NEW: I just obtained these latest recusal forms from the courthouse in Glynn County. The entire Brunswick Judicial Circuit has recused themselves from the Ahmaud Arbery case officially and Prosecutor Joyette Holmes is leading the state's case. @cbs46 pic.twitter.com/a1c0K6L3fv
— Hayley Mason (@HayleyMasonTV) May 12, 2020
Justice Sonia Sotomayor is recusing herself from a #SCOTUS case over the issue of “faithless electors” — Electoral College representatives who disregard the will of voters in presidential elections — because of her friendship with one of the parties involved in the lawsuit.
— Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) March 10, 2020
Try using recuse!
True or False?
Recusing is the same as resigning.
Word of the Day
[in-vet-er-it ]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse